Nov

20

Pontifical Acts

November 20, 2009 | Leave a Comment

The Holy Father appointed:

 - As consultors of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith
Archbishop Manuel Monteiro de Castro, secretary of the Congregation for
Bishops, and Archbishop Jean-Louis Brugues O.P., secretary of the
Congregation for Catholic Education.

 - John C. Cavadini, professor of theology at the University of Notre Dame
at South Bend, U.S.A., as a member of the International Theological
Commission.

Nov

19

Promoting a Knowledge Illuminated by Faith

November 19, 2009 | Leave a Comment

At midday today in the Vatican’s Paul VI Hall, the Pope received professors and students of Roman pontifical universities, and participants in the general assembly of the International Federation of Catholic Universities (FIUC).

At the beginning of his address the Holy Father recalled how John Paul II’s Apostolic Constitution “Sapientia christiana”, the thirtieth anniversary of which falls this year, “underlines the urgent need, which still persists today, to overcome the separation between faith and culture, calling for a greater commitment to evangelisation in the firm conviction that Christian Revelation is a transforming power destined to permeate patterns of thought, standards of judgment and norms of behaviour. It is capable of illuminating, purifying and renewing man’s conduct and his cultures, and must remain the focal point for teaching and research, as well as the horizon illuminating the nature and goals of all ecclesiastical faculties”.

The underlying ideas of “Sapientia christiana”, Benedict XVI went on, “still retain all their validity. Indeed, in modern society where knowledge is becoming ever more specialised and sectorial but is profoundly marked by relativism, it is even more necessary to open oneself to the wisdom which comes from the Gospel. Man, in fact, is incapable of gaining a full understanding of himself and the world without Jesus Christ; He alone illuminates man’s true dignity, his vocation and ultimate destiny, and opens his heart to a firm and lasting hope”.

Professors and students “must never lose sight of the goal to be pursued, that of becoming instruments for the announcement of the Gospel. … At the same time, it is important to remember that the study of the sacred sciences must never be separated from prayer, from union with God, from contemplation, … otherwise reflection on the divine Mysteries risks becoming an empty intellectual exercise”.

Turning then to address participants in the general assembly of the FIUC, which this year celebrates the sixtieth anniversary of its canonical recognition, the Holy Father encouraged them to make “further efforts to renew your will to serve the Church. In this context, your motto also represents a programme for the future of the federation: ‘Sciat ut serviat’, to know in order to serve.

“In a culture which reveals a ‘lack of wisdom and reflection, a lack of thinking capable of formulating a guiding synthesis’”, he added in conclusion, “Catholic universities, faithful to an identity which makes a specific point of Christian inspiration, are called to promote a ‘new umanistic synthesis’, knowledge that is ‘wisdom capable of directing man in the light of his first beginnings and his final ends’, knowledge illuminated by faith”.

Nov

18

Mediaeval Cathedrals: Harmonious Blend of Faith and Art

November 18, 2009 | Leave a Comment

“The Christian faith, profoundly rooted in the men and women of the Middle Ages”, said the Pope in his catechesis during this morning’s general audience, “not only gave rise to masterpieces of theological literature, it also inspired some of the most exalted artistic creations of all civilisation: the cathedrals”.

  Apart from the more favourable historical conditions, such as greater political stability, the artistic fervour Europe witnessed over three centuries from the year 1000 was due also to “the ardour and spiritual zeal of monasticism”, thanks to which the abbeys were built. There “the faithful could remain in prayer, drawn by the idea of venerating the relics of saints, which led to incessant pilgrimages”, said Holy Father to the 8,000 faithful gathered in the Paul VI Hall.

  Thus the Romanesque churches and cathedrals came into being, one of the novelties of which was the introduction of sculptures which, more than seeking technical perfection, “had an educational aim. … Their recurring theme was the representation of Christ as Judge, surrounded by the figures of the Apocalypse. In general it is the portals of Romanesque churches that present this image, underlining the fact that Christ is the Door that leads to heaven”.

  Benedict XVI then turned his attention to the Gothic cathedrals of the twelfth and thirteenth centuries characterised, he said, by “their vertical thrust and luminosity”. They “reveal a synthesis of faith and art, harmoniously expressed through the universal and captivating language of beauty. … The Gothic cathedrals thus sought to translate – in their architectural lines – the longing of the soul for God”, while their stained glass windows caused “a cascade of light to fall upon the faithful, recounting the story of salvation”.

  “Gothic sculpture made cathedrals ‘Bibles of stone’, depicting the episodes of the Gospel and illustrating the passages of the liturgical year, from the Nativity to the Glorification of the Lord. … Nor were the figures of the Old Testament overlooked, whose story thus became familiar to the faithful”.

  Yet “the artistic masterpieces created in Europe over previous centuries are incomprehensible is we do not take account of the religious spirit that inspired them”, said Pope Benedict. “When faith, especially as celebrated in the liturgy, encounters art, a profound harmony is created because both wish to speak of God, to make the Invisible visible”. He also indicated that during his forthcoming meeting with artists, scheduled for 21 November, he will renew his “proposal of friendship between Christian spirituality and art, as expressed by my predecessors, especially … Paul VI and John Paul II”.

  “The force of the Romanesque and the splendour of Gothic cathedrals remind us that the ‘via pulchritudinis’, the way of beauty, is a privileged and fascinating way to approach the Mystery of God”, said the Holy Father.

  “May the Lord help us”, he concluded, “to rediscover this way of beauty as one of the paths, perhaps the most attractive and captivating, to encounter and to love God”. (VIS)

Oct

22

Opening Prayer from the Mass of Blessed Timothy Giaccardo

October 22, 2009 | Leave a Comment

God our Father,
you sustained the life and apostolic work
of Blessed Timothy, priest,
with your radiant Word
and strength-giving Eucharist.
By the help of his prayers,
may the instruments of social communication
be used rightfully in promoting the good
in the Church and in the world
and help effectively in spreading the Gospel everywhere.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.

Oct

6

Our Father Saint Bruno

October 6, 2009 | 1 Comment

“Our Father Saint Bruno: this title does not raise thoughts in our
minds of lengthy doctrine nor of elaborate teaching but rather the
existence of a mature master who allowed himself to be seduced by the
goodness of God and gave everything up for its sake. He has little
else to tell us except his life in the desert where, in silent vigil,
the pure gaze of love wounds the beloved’s heart.”

~Father General of the Carthusian Order.

From a sermon about St. Bruno given by the Father General of the
Carthusian Order at their General Chapter in 1983. It was given in
conjunction in with the celebration of the ninth centenary of the
founding of the Order in 1083. The sermon can be found on pages 13-15
of “The Wound of Love”.